India v England 2nd ODI Preview

Following the amazing first ODI between India v England on Sunday, the two teams are set to play the second ODI, at the Barabati Stadium, Cuttack on Thursday. Virat Kohli and his Indian team will be full of confidence following their dramatic three wicket win over England in the first ODI. Against the cricket betting odds at the start of their innings, India pulled off a remarkable victory.

Virat Kohli and Kedav Jadhav each scored centuries as India secured a brilliant run chase of 351 against England with three wickets in Pune. Kohli and Jadhav completed a 200-run partnership after India were in deep trouble at 63 for four at one stage. The win has also allowed India take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Earlier, England had been put in to bat by Kohli, after he had won the toss, and although they managed a substantial total of 350-7 off their allotted 50 overs, it was not going to be England’s day.

Looking forward to Thursday’s match, most pundits cannot see passed another India win and with that the series.

For England to win this ODI, they must somehow be able to contain the Indian batsmen and limit their powerful middle order ability to score almost at will. England’s Adil Rashid bowled 5 overs for 50 runs and Moen Ali 6.1 overs for 48.

England will be looking to their bowlers, particularly the spinners, who have not been able to restrict the batsmen enough by bowling a consistent line and length.

There has been a lot of talk recently about how ODI cricket is being played with the bowlers at a disadvantage and the wickets being prepared to favour the batsmen. Having watched the some of the batting on Sunday, you would had pushed to disagree with this, however, it does make for exciting cricket and the bowlers do, at times, get the upper hand.

For England to be able to salvage something from their winter tour of India, they will need to bat bowl better. Former England spinner, and now BT Sport pundit, Graeme Swann said prior to England starting their tour that England did not stand a chance of winning games in India, mainly due to the lack of a world class spinner in their squads.

“We just don’t take spin seriously in this country. We have no world-class spinners.

“We don’t have a full time spin bowling coach. We don’t have any type of system in place to provide support the spinners need. We are bad players of spin as well. We will lose in India.

Citing the case of Somerset left-arm spinner, Jack Leach, who picked 107 wickets from 33 first-class matches, Swann urged the selectors to give importance to specialists rather than eyeing players who can bat and bowl a bit.

“We prefer guys who do both rather than choosing match winners. Spinners win you Test matches on day four and five.

For what it’s worth, I think England do have a chance of overturning India on Thursday, however, they will have to be on at the top of their game.